Top 5 Benefits of Extracurricular Activities in Child Development
Introduction:
Purposeful education is meant to nurture the latent abilities of children, bring forth their interests and abilities in creative pursuits, and help develop their overall personality. Thus a complete educational experience includes both academic as well as extracurricular activities, with both playing complementary roles to each other. It is being increasingly recognized the world over that extracurricular indulgences are beneficial for the intellectual, artistic, social as well as psychological growth of students. Some of the benefits associated with undertaking extracurricular activities include:
1. They help develop the social and moral character of children:
Through sports, team-based competitions and community work; students develop qualities of focus, discipline, taking care of one’s teammates, healthy competitive spirit, and selfless giving. These become part of the students’ persona and help them navigate life while contributing meaningfully to society. MIT Gurukul, one of the best residential schools in Pune, has world-class sports facilities, art labs, music rooms and community outreach programs for the students. This reflects the school’s commitment to developing its students holistically and preparing tomorrow’s empathetic leaders.
2. They expose the children to new opportunities and interests:
Participating in numerous activities, children are able to find their niche interests in new and uncommon hobbies or rare art forms. Some of these may include playing traditional country sports, bookkeeping, growing vertical gardens, campaigning for the preservation of endangered species, developing socially relevant apps etc. These look good on a child’s resume while it also makes them stand apart from their peers. At MIT Gurukul, a premier international school in Pune, professional artists, social activists, environmentalists and social and civil society organisations are regularly invited to interact with students and motivate them towards taking up such extracurricular activities.
3. They provide meaningful social outlets:
Extracurricular activities very often pitch students into group projects and take them outside the classroom setting. This makes them network with students from different institutions, travel to new places and experience varied cultures, settings and lifestyles. Such exposures broaden the students’ visions and help them become flexible and adaptable in getting along with, and working with people from varied backgrounds. This helps them become successful in their professional and personal endeavours in the later years of their lives.
4. They provide a break from the monotony of studies:
Extracurricular activities provide a welcome break from studies and actually contribute to better academic performance by making the students mentally and physically fit, alert and sharp. Alternating rigorous study times with the pursuit of hobbies and interests raises communication, critical thinking, and scientific expertise of the students. Such activities can include debating, public speaking, science or social science projects, planting trees, playing chess or participating in Model United Nations. They allow the students physical movement, networking with like-minded students, forming social bonds and learning through non-academic means.
5. They give the students essential life skills:
Extracurricular activities give the students qualities that classroom education cannot. These include priority setting, time management, problem-solving, looking at different perspectives, analytical thinking, optimism, self-confidence and camaraderie. Mastering these skills benefit the students throughout their life, in their personal, professional, psychological and social spaces. Among the best schools in Pune, MIT Gurukul has consciously crafted a comprehensive curriculum that offers different extracurricular opportunities to the students for their benefit in the present and their success in the future.
Conclusively we can say that extracurricular activities are an essential part of the educational ethos of a school, a society and a country. Though all ages are good to participate in such activities, developing an early interest in them from school days gives lasting benefits in all stages of life. Deeply committed to giving every opportunity to the students for extracurricular immersions, MIT Gurukul urges the parents to also support and encourage their wards to enthusiastically participate in such activities. To see the entire range of extracurricular activities offered at our school, please visit our website https://www.mitgurukul.com.We also welcome parent volunteers to take art and craft classes, teach music and singing, or train the students in cooking, embroidery, languages or tech based training.
